NMCRP requests asset declarations of Ravi

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By 2017-02-17

By Skandha Gunasekara

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has made official requests for the asset declarations of the President and the Prime Minister under the Right to Information (RTI), Executive Director Asoka Obeysekara informed Ceylon Today.

Obeysekara said that TISL had so far made six public interest requests for six State institutions.

"We decided to request the asset declarations of the President and Prime Minister as it would not only benefit the framework of good governance but would also show the significance of the Right to Information Act," Obeysekara said.

The official requests were made on 3 February.

In addition to making requests of the President's and Prime Minister's offices, TISL also made requests for the records and investments of the EPF/ETF department, records of party finances from the Elections Commission, details concerning internal regulations of the Customs Department as well as resources allocated for Chronic Kidney disease from the Ministry of Health.

"So far only the Ministry of Health has refused our request" Obeyesekara said adding that the Health Ministry had notified TISL that the relevant information officer of the Ministry was unavailable.

Obeysekara said that TISL hopes to publish its findings concerning the assets of the President and Prime Minister, noting that TISL hopes the information would strengthen the public faith in the Good Governance regime and the Right to Information act.

Furthermore, the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) has made a formal request under the RTI Act seeking the financial assets of the Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake.

"The public has been exposed various allegations of corruption regarding the Parliamentarians. So, as the Finance Minister we want to know where he received his wealth."